Blog 2: Themes reflection
I have through about how all this lectures are going to impact my work from now on.
Thinking about Diversity, Sustainability and Social Responsibility through these two weeks has definitely open my mind towards the future an what actions I can take to raise awareness towards these themes. I have also come to the realisation that I had never put much thought about how these factors affect the fashion industry and our society. As well as realising that I am part of one of the biggest, most influential industries in the world and that our reach on society is immensely. All of these has definitely put some pressure on me, and what I can do to better myself, my work and the industry itself.
As a Hair, Makeup & Prosthetics for performance student I immediately thought about the environmental problems my own sector creates. With the constant waste of products and the uses of chemicals. On the other hand I thought about how it affects the personal well-being and why it can be so positive but at the same time so negative without the proper representation of beauty standards.
Nowadays I believe the fashion industry is becoming conscious of these problems everyday. Creating and designing alternatives of clothing that are ecological and helpful to the environment as well as representing different beauty standards to influence younger generations positively and not in a unattainable way.
However i can’t help but wonder if it is enough, as it seems that the balance between positive and negative representation is still very equal, at the same time I wonder what I can do to make sure it leans towards the positive side.
What I have come to understand is that even if the fashion industry is more conscious, my own sector still lacks of this positive reinforcement and I believe it is of the most importance that it is recognised by the major brands.
Some businesses have made important environmental changes reducing plastic and paper in their products such as Lush, use recycled materials like Aveda or giving back to the planet by donating money which every purchase, becoming sustainable brands. However most major brands are still associated with negative connotations, and i wonder why they don’t raise awareness to this important environmental crisis. At the same time I would like to see more representation of a normal beauty standard. While in fashion we see more and more body shapes, cultures and sexualitys, the beauty
sector its still predominant an impossible standard of perfection with heavily edited pictured of the beauty products on the face of models.
Better lives has taught me to use my creativity to help and raise awareness in which I believe important. That it is my responsibility to live sustainable and to share my ideals of diversity and environmental responsibilities with society.
I will support more smaller sustainable fashion and beauty brand from now on and try to make my friends and family aware of them and their benefits. As well as showcase in my work a diverse and different approach to beauty and the use of its products.